Camera and lens assembly

Abstract

Dual-lens assemblies and cameras including dual lens-assemblies that include a first lens barrel securing a first lens having a first optical axis and a second lens barrel securing a second lens having a second optical axis are disclosed. In one dual-lens assembly, the first optical axis is approximately parallel to and spaced from the second optical axis by a lateral offset, axial lengths of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel are approximately equal, and the first lens and the second lens are oriented in opposite directions at opposing ends of the first lens barrel and the second lens barrel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A camera, comprising:
 a camera body; 
 a first lens disposed on a first side of the camera body; 
 a first image sensor for capturing a first image from light entering the first lens; 
 a second lens disposed on a second side of the camera body; 
 a second image sensor for capturing a second image from light entering the second lens; 
 wherein the first lens has a first field of view facing a first direction; 
 wherein the first image sensor is coupled to a first circuit board, the second image sensor is coupled to a second circuit board, and the first circuit board and the second circuit board are approximately parallel to each other and oriented in opposite directions; 
 wherein the second lens has a second field of view facing a second direction that is opposite the first direction and overlapping the first field of view; 
 wherein an object located 1200 mm or less from the camera can be stitched together into a spherical image formed by combining the first image and the second image with a stitching algorithm. 
 
     
     
       2. The camera according to  claim 1 , wherein the object can be located between 600 mm and 1200 mm from the camera and be stitched together into the spherical image. 
     
     
       3. The camera according to  claim 2 , wherein the object can be located approximately 600 mm from the camera and be stitched together into the spherical image. 
     
     
       4. The camera according to  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal offset between the first lens and the second lens is between 25 and 35 mm. 
     
     
       5. The camera according to  claim 4 , wherein the longitudinal offset is between 28 and 32 mm. 
     
     
       6. A camera, comprising:
 a camera body; 
 a first lens disposed on a first side of the camera body; 
 a first image sensor for capturing a first image from light entering the first lens; 
 a second lens disposed on a second side of the camera body; 
 a second image sensor for capturing a second image from light entering the second lens; 
 wherein the first lens has a first field of view facing a first direction; 
 wherein the second lens has a second field of view facing a second direction that is opposite the first direction and overlapping the first field of view at stitch points; 
 wherein two of the stitch points are less than 1200 mm from opposite sides of the camera in a horizontal plan that intersects the first lens and the second lens. 
 
     
     
       7. The camera according to  claim 6 , wherein the two of the stitch points are between 600 mm and 1200 mm from the opposite sides of the camera. 
     
     
       8. The camera according to  claim 7 , wherein the two of the stitch points are approximately 600 mm from the opposite sides of the camera. 
     
     
       9. The camera according to  claim 6 , wherein the second field of view overlaps the second field of view at a stitch line that includes the stitch points. 
     
     
       10. The camera according to  claim 6 , wherein an object located at one of the two of the stitch points can be stitched together into a spherical image formed by combining the first image and the second image with a stitching algorithm. 
     
     
       11. The camera according to  claim 6 , wherein a longitudinal offset between the first lens and the second lens is between 25 mm and 35 mm. 
     
     
       12. The camera according to  claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal offset is between 28 and 32 mm. 
     
     
       13. The camera according to  claim 6 , wherein the first image sensor is coupled to a first circuit board, the second image sensor is coupled to a second circuit board, and the first circuit board and the second circuit board are approximately parallel to each other and oriented in opposite directions. 
     
     
       14. A camera, comprising:
 a camera body; 
 a first lens disposed on a first side of the camera body; 
 a first image sensor for capturing a first image from light entering the first lens; 
 a second lens disposed on a second side of the camera body; 
 a second image sensor for capturing a second image from light entering the second lens; 
 wherein the first lens has a first field of view facing a first direction; 
 wherein the second lens has a second field of view facing a second direction that is opposite the first direction and overlapping the first field of view; and 
 wherein a longitudinal offset between the first lens and the second lens is between 25 and 35 mm. 
 
     
     
       15. The camera according to  claim 14 , wherein the longitudinal offset is between 28 and 32 mm. 
     
     
       16. The camera according to  claim 14 , wherein an object located 1200 mm or less from the camera can be stitched together into a spherical image formed by combining the first image and the second image with a stitching algorithm. 
     
     
       17. The camera according to  claim 16 , wherein the object can be located between 600 mm and 1200 mm from either side of the camera and be stitched together into the spherical image. 
     
     
       18. The camera according to  claim 17 , wherein the object can be located approximately 600 mm from the camera and be stitched together into the spherical image. 
     
     
       19. The camera according to  claim 14 , wherein the second field of view overlaps the first field of view at a stitch line that includes stitch points located less than 1200 mm from the camera. 
     
     
       20. The camera according to  claim 14 , wherein the first image sensor is coupled to a first circuit board, the second image sensor is coupled to a second circuit board, and the first circuit board and the second circuit board are approximately parallel to each other and oriented in opposite directions.